Page 105 of Taken By the Pack

Her gaze doesn’t waver. “That was in the past.”

Something tightens in my chest. “The past,” I repeat.

She nods. “And since we’ll be in town more regularly, it’s better we get acquainted.”

I look at my father. He doesn’t object, which means he’s already decided this is happening.

Fine.

“The other Alphas will come, too,” I say.

My father’s jaw ticks. “That won’t be necessary.”

I hold his gaze. “They’ll be there.”

His lips press into a thin line, but he doesn’t argue.

Which means, for now, I’ve won.

That is until my mother simply says, “One of them at a time, don’t you agree, son? Besides, I don’t want that brute near Liam for now.”

Liam scoffs, arguing that he could absolutely take Jake down, but no one else is listening.

* * *

I don’t go backto the market. I can’t. Not after that disaster. The shame sits heavy on my shoulders, pressing down like a weight I can’t shake off. Instead, I go home.

I pace. Sit. Stand. Check my phone. Consider texting Grace. Don’t.

What am I supposed to say? I’m the reason she’s losing her house. The entire town will be affected by this. Still, I can’t hide here.

I tell myself I’ll go when she gets home. That I’ll talk to her then. But I still can’t move until I see her walking toward the house next door, flanked by Rowan and Jake.

That’s when I finally step outside.

Jake spots me first, his expression unreadable as he keeps his arm around Grace. I nod to Rowan, who looks like he’d rather shove me into traffic than talk to me.

I clear my throat. “I wanted to apologize.”

Jake raises an eyebrow. “For what? Your family being a bunch of assholes?”

I sigh. “For what Liam said. What my parents said to all of you.” I look at Grace. “I’m sorry you had to hear that.”

Jake exhales sharply. “Liam’s a douche.”

“Yeah.” I rub the back of my neck. “Which brings me to the reason I came over.” I shift on my feet, glancing at Grace. “My family wants to meet you tonight. Officially.” I turn to the others. “All of you. One at a time.”

Rowan’s scoff is immediate. “Not happening.”

Jake crosses his arms. “Agreed.”

But Grace tilts her head, watching me carefully. “This is important to you?”

I swallow. “Yeah.”

She doesn’t look away. Then, with a nod, she says, “I’ll do it.”

“What?” Rowan snaps.

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